Antioxidant activity, cito- and phototoxicity of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seed pulp extract

In the present work, a hydroethanolic extract was prepared from the entire seeds of pomegranate [Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae)] with Cachaça, a distilled Brazilian alcoholic beverage, protected from light for an 80-hour period. The desorption curve of the seeds, presented an optimal time extraction of approximately 24 hours. The extract was divided into two samples: protected from light, (Extract 1), or not, (Extract 2). The extracts were characterized by UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy, quantification of total phenolics by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH quenching method. Extract 2 presented 9.8% less total polyphenols than Extract 1. The pomegranate seeds extract lost 79% of its antioxidant activity during light exposure. Extract 1 up to 3% (w/v) showed neither cyto nor phototoxicity in the Hela cells. In conclusion, Punica granatum L. seeds contain a significant total polyphenol and TEAC amount and they can be used in simple extractive process, by direct contact with Cachaça in up to 80 hours in the darkness, which gives it good coloration, taste, and smell. This extract showed neither cytotoxicity nor post-irradiation phototoxicity with solar simulator even though the extract proved photoinstable.